They traveled thousands of miles to reach Greece. They fell victim to racism and discrimination but with their stubbornness and love for it soccer they managed to follow their heart and chase in addition to their dreams, a ball in stadiums all over the world. These are the girls of Hestia FC of the first football group refugee and migrant women in the Balkans.
Hestia FC was created in March 2019 and just two months later managed to be crowned European Champion in the Global Goals World Cup. It is a program of the International Olympic Truce Center under the auspices of the Municipality of Athens and the Council for the Integration of Immigrants. The aim of the group is the protection, empowerment and social inclusion of women refugees and immigrant women through football.
Katerina Salta, the "soul" of Hestia FC and Sport for Protection Program Manager, spoke to newsbeast.gr about everything she has experienced alongside her refugees-friends, about the team's plans but also about the freedom that players experience when is on the field.
- How did Hestia FC's football journey begin?
As I had designed and implemented football programs for refugee children and men and experienced the positive impact on their lives, the idea of a similar program for Women was born in early 2018. When in November 2018 I was selected by the international organization Eir, which is active worldwide in promoting the United Nations Global Sustainable Development Goals, as one of the 12 Ambassadors at European level, I felt it was time to act. The International Olympic Truce Center immediately embraced the idea and so Hestia was founded. The implementation was made possible thanks to OPANDA that the stadium has for us, while the contribution of his Seraphim was also important. Of the City of Athens which hosted the seminars we have once a week.
- Are there any conditions that the interested parties must meet in order to become members of the team?
To join the group, you must be an adult refugee or immigrant. He is not required to have previous football experience, and language is not an obstacle either, as there are volunteer interpreters. Our goal is to welcome vulnerable Greek women in the future.
- How many women does the team have and from which countries?
The team currently has 14 players. In total, about 40 women from 14 different countries have been registered so far, from Syria, Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, Egypt, Cameroon, Congo, Tunisia, Morocco, Sierra Leone, Somalia, etc.
- Do you see similarities and differences in the cultures of the peoples?
Clearly there are many differences as we come from so many different countries. But the similarities are much greater and football once again proves to be a global, common "language". Inside the football field we are all the same in a sense and equal.
- What is the goal of the team apart from training? What values are you trying to promote?
Our players have had really extremely traumatic experiences. So our main goal is to make them feel safe - and this is easily achieved on the football field -, to improve their psychology and to be able to get back on their feet, to take their lives in their hands. The change is impressively fast, it is also the sense of "belonging" that strengthens them, as many traveled alone. But those who have a family did not have girlfriends. An important element of sport is the values it advocates such as respect, cooperation, self-esteem, responsibility, equality. We focus on its values but also on the values of Olympism, especially in the seminars we have once a week.
- The comments of the people? Were there any people who reacted negatively to your project?
Criticism is everywhere and always. Especially in a country where no proper integration efforts have been made and no special opportunities have been given for Greeks to meet and socialize with refugees. When there is a lack of information as well as misinformation, it is natural and next to have a portion of the world that will be negative in such ventures. Aren't there people who criticize the existence of women's football anyway? So imagine how unorthodox our project, which also concerns women of another culture, seems to them. Most of them, however, who come in contact with the team, those who have the opportunity to get to know our players up close, change their mind, "soften" if you will.
- What are the participations - awards so far and what is your dream for Hestia FC?
Hestia FC participated in the Global Goals World Cup in May 2019 and was crowned European Champion. In the finals held in September in New York, we took third place. In June we participated in the Festival of Football that took place during the Women's World Cup. There, women's teams from around the world, we achieved a Guinness World Record! That of most nationalities who participated in a football tournament. In December we were nominated for one of the awards of the international organization Peace and Sport, based in Monaco and supported by Prince Albert. We did not manage to get it but our player, 22-year-old Shakiba from Afghanistan, was chosen as Youth Ambassador and was even prefaced at the awards ceremony by Didier Drogba. Also in December, at the invitation of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, we went to Geneva where we participated in the Global Refugee Forum at the United Nations. Great distinctions at the international level and in just 9 months since the establishment of the team. Our dream is to welcome Greek women as mentioned above, to continue to have a strong presence at the international level and to organize the first Global Goals World Cup in our country, where we will welcome women's soccer teams from around the world!
